Smart hybrid storage based on intelligent data access classification

Abstract

A method for configuring resources in a storage array, comprising the steps of (a) determining if a data access is a first type or a second type, (b) if the data access is the first type, configuring the storage array as a reliable type configuration, (c) if the data access is the second type, configuring the storage array as a secure type configuration.

1 . A method for configuring resources in a storage array, comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining if a data access is a first type or a second type;   (b) if said data access is said first type, configuring said storage array as a reliable type configuration; and   (c) if said data access is said second type, configuring said storage array as a secure type configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said reliable type configuration comprises a RAID 51 configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said reliable type configuration comprises a RAID 61 configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said secure type configuration comprises a RAID 50. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said secure type configuration comprises a RAID 60. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a mapping table between one or more volume group and active blocks.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 determining whether an active block needs a performance boost.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 attaching a solid state device to said reliable type configuration or said secure type configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 after an initial access determining whether said solid state device may be removed to free up said solid state device.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said data access comprises writing to a hard disc device, reading from said solid state device and synchronizing said hard disc device with said solid state device asynchronously after said data access. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said storage array comprises a RAID configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said method is implemented on a RAID controller. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus comprising:
 a storage array; and   a circuit configured to (i) determine if a data access is a first type or a second type, (ii) if said data access is said first type, configure said storage array as a reliable type configuration and (iii) if said data access is said second type, configure said storage array as a secure type configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said circuit is further configured to (i) determine if said data access is a third type and (ii) if said data access is said third type, configure said storage array as both said reliable type configuration and said secure type configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said circuit is further configured to determine whether an active block needs a performance boost. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said circuit is further configured to attach one or more solid state devices to said reliable type configuration or said secure type configuration to achieve said performance boost. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said circuit is further configured to determine whether at least one of said solid state devices may be removed to free up said solid state device after an initial access. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said circuit comprises a controller circuit and said storage array comprises a RAID array. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said apparatus is implemented as one or more integrated circuits. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for determining if a data access is a first type or a second type;   means for configuring a storage array as a reliable type configuration if said data access is said first type; and   means for configuring said storage array as a secure type configuration if said data access is said second type.